If Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez cares about legacy then he’ll engage David Benavidez in a prospective two-fight deal in September, Sampson Lewkowicz told ProBox TV.
Benavidez punched his way to the shortlist for Fighter of the Year honors in 2023 when he bludgeoned Caleb Plant in March before annihilating Demetrius Andrade in November.
Having seen his name value rise considerably, he is in prime position to pressure Canelo into a bout — possibly in Las Vegas.
Canelo, per a ProBox TV source with knowledge of PBC’s strategy for him, could be in line to box Jermall Charlo on the weekend closest to Cinco de Mayo.
According to public information ProBox TV has seen, TGB Promotions has already placed a hold for the May 4 date at either the MGM Grand Garden Arena or T-Mobile Arena with the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
Benavidez won’t sit around on the sidelines for Canelo, Lewkowicz told us, as the promoter is looking to match him in the summer, too.
“He’s fighting in May, or in early June,” Lewkowicz told us.
When we asked if there were opponents he had in mind outside of Canelo, he said: “We are looking for one,” before joking if we knew of any.
The same ProBox TV source who told us Jermall is the likely frontrunner to fight Canelo this summer also said any deal struck between the pound-for-pound star and Benavidez would likely be a two-fight deal.
When we mentioned this to Lewkowicz, he said, “definitely … it’s supposed to happen in September.”
He continued: “That fight is supposed to happen, and I believe if you want to go with this legacy you need to fight Benavidez or he will never get the respect of his own people.
“Money [yes],” he said, “but no respect.”
